2019 Florida Sire Stakes and Other Bonuses Approved

Attributed to a renewed spirit of cooperation among Florida's leading Thoroughbred racing organizations, an annual Florida-bred stakes and purse agreement has been approved months earlier than in previous years.

The agreement approved by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and Gulfstream Park includes the following for 2019: the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series that will offer $1.4 million in 2-year-old stakes purses; a return of the FTBOA-funded $1 million Florida Breeder Incentive Fund introduced last year, which offers purse subsidies for registered Florida-breds in numerous overnight races at diverse levels under various conditions; and a series of bonuses for FSS-eligible horses.

"I can't overstate how helpful it is to get a solid and lucrative Gulfstream Park stakes agreement negotiated and in the books this far in advance," said FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell in a statement, noting that previous agreements often dragged into late December or early January. "We applaud the leadership of Gulfstream and the FHBPA for their time and effort in order to make this happen. The interest in our Florida Sire Stakes program has really skyrocketed when you look at the increases in eligible foals, stakes field sizes, as well as bonuses paid out so far at all racing levels this year. With an agreement already in place for next year, we can begin to aggressively promote our 2019 races and economic incentives."

The 2019 Florida-bred stakes schedule at Gulfstream is as follows:

• $100,000 FTBOA FSS Dr. Fager, 2-year-olds at six furlongs
• $100,000 FTBOA FSS Desert Vixen, 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs
• $200,000 FTBOA FSS Affirmed, 2-year-olds at seven furlongs
• $200,000 FTBOA FSS Susan's Girl, 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs
• $400,000 FTBOA FSS In Reality, 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles
• $400,000 FTBOA FSS My Dear Girl, 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles
• $150,000 FTBOA FSS Wildcat Heir, 3-year-olds and older at one mile

Other than the $1 million incentive fund for overnight races, the agreement also continues $100,000 in Florida Sire Stakes 2-year-old maiden special weight win bonuses that began this year and creates two new bonuses—a $100,000 Florida Derby (G1) bonus and a $25,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) bonus if the winners are FSS-eligible.

"We've averaged an incredible 11 horses entered in each of our first four FSS races so far, while our FSS-eligible foals have increased more than 13% from the prior year," said Joe O'Farrell III, chair of the FTBOA Racing Committee and second vice president. "The numbers tell the story, and the purses and awards reward our membership for their work and investment. It appears 2019 should be another banner year for Florida breeders and Florida-breds."